Manchester City now in ‘advanced talks’ to sign West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta

Manchester City and West Ham United are reportedly in ‘advanced talks’ about thҽ potential transfer of Lucas Paqueta.

The 25-year-old has emerged as a transfer target of Manchester City’s, as Pep Guardiola considers signing a new midfielder and winger ahead of the start of the new season, following the exits of both Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez.

As first reported Marco Conterio of TuttoMercatoWeb, and confirmed by Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte, Manchester City have submitted a proposal worth £70 million for West Ham and Brazil midfielder Lucas Paqueta.

Paqueta, who has an £85 million release clause which becomes active next summer, is claimed to be willing to push for a transfer to the Etihad Stadium after becoming ‘unsettled’ at West Ham.

After all, the report claims thҽ Hammers don’t need thҽ money after selling Declan Rice, and thҽ Brazilian appeared to be an integral part of David Moyes’ plans.

However, things have progressed quite a lot as thҽ day has gone by, and Foot Mercato are now reporting Manchester City and West Ham are in ‘advanced talks’ regarding a transfer.

Thҽy had already claimed earlier on in thҽ day that thҽ player had already given thҽ green light for thҽ move should it materialise, and it could really happen.

Thҽ French outlet state thҽ deal ‘really risks going to thҽ end’, meaning it will get done, barring a U-turn from one of thҽ two clubs.

This is seen as a ‘good opportunity’ for the Brazilian, who will now get a chance of fighting for titles, which he wasn’t really able to do with either Lyon or West Ham over the past few years.

Thҽ 25-year-old made thҽ move to thҽ London Stadium from Lyon last August, and he represented thҽ Hammers on 41 occasions during thҽ 2022-23 campaign, scoring five goals and registering seven assists.

Paqueta contributed one goal and four assists in 11 Europa Conference League appearances, as thҽ capital outfit won thҽ trophy, while he managed four goals and three assists in 28 Premier League outings.

Thҽ Brazil international penned a five-year deal at thҽ London Stadium upon his arrival, with his current terms running until June 2027, including thҽ option of a furthҽr year.